Band-cutter and feeder for threshing-machines.



No. 875,5I5. Patented lune 4, l90l. C. A. LONG.

BAND CUTTER AND FEEDER FDR THRESHING MACHINES.

(Application led July 26,` 15300.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Modal.)

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No. 675,515. Patented lune 4, |901. C. A. LONG. BAND GUTTER AND FEEDERFOB THRESHING MACHINES.

(Application led July 26, 1900.) (No Modal.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

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UrtiTnn STATES PATENT FFICE.

CHARLES ALBERT LONG, OF POMEROY, VASHINGTON.

eANo-cnTTER AND FEEDER FQR THRESHING-MACHINES.

SPECLFIOATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 675,515, dated June 4,1901.

Original application filed February l0, 1899, Serial No. 705,715,Divided and this application lcd July 26,1900. lSerial No, 24.941. (Nomodel.) l

To @ZZ whom, it may concern:

Beit known that I, CHARLES ALBERT LONG, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pomeroy,in the county of Garfield and State iVa-shington,have invented a new and useful Band-Cutter and Feeder' for Threshing-Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in band-cutterand feeder mechanismsfor threshing-machines, the subject-matter of my present improvementsbeing a division of a prior application for Letters Patent of the UnitedStates, filed by me on February 10, 1899, Serial No. 705,715.

The band-cutter and feeder mechanism of myinvention is directed moreparticularly to that class in which a structure separate from thetlneshing-machine is employed, and in service it is` found that theposition of the feeder with relation to the threshing-cylinder isfrequently such that the feeder devices cannot be properly disposed withrelation to the feed-mouth of the threshing-machine and to the drivingmechanism on such threshingmachine for the propulsion of the operating`elements of the feeder. To overcome these objections, l have devised aconstruction by which the feeder-conveyer may be adjusted toward or fromthe threshing-cylinder in the direction of the length of thethreshing-machine, suoli feeder-conveyer being adjustable horizontallyin a direction at right angles to the plane of the threshing machine. Myfeeder mechanism includes as one element thereof an endless conveyerwhich is equipped with an inclined length or section adapted to beadjusted in a vertical direction independently of the endwise ortransverse bodilyadjustment of the feeder-conveyer,whereby said conveyerand its inclined adjustable section may be moved in any direction, so asto be brought into proper relation to the mouth of the threshing-machineunder all conditions of service.

The invention further relates to a fork mechanism as a part of thefeeder mechanism, such fork mechanism being operative by power derivedfrom Ithe threshing-machine for the purpose of loading the grain uponthe feederconveyer. Said fork mechanism is in duplicate, with means forthe independent control of the forks to insure the rapid handling oflarge quantities of grain, and each fork is controlled in a manner toeffect its operation for the proper discharge of the load of grain onthe feeder-conveyer. The driving-shaft for the fork mechanism ispropelled by devices in operative relation to certain working parts ofthe threshing-machine, and this driv ing-shaft and its associated partsserve to maintain the driving-belts for the threshingcylinder under thenecessary tension to secure maximum efficiency.

Vith these ends in view the invention consists in the novel combinationof elements and in the construction and arrangement of parts, which willbe hereinafter fully described and claimed.

To enable others to understand the invention, I have illustrated apreferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, forming a part ofthis specification, and in Which-- Figure l is a side view of part of athreshing-machine, illustrating my improved bandcutting and feedmechanism in operative relation thereto. Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsectional elevation on an enlarged scale, of the inner part of theband-cutter and feeder, which lies contiguous to the feeding end of athreshing-machine. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through thederrick-table and the shiftable feeder-conveyer supported thereby, thefeeder being disconnected from the threshing-machine. Fig. 4 is atransverse section on the plane indicated by the dotted line 4 4 of Fig.3; Fig. 5 is an enlarged viewin front elevation, partly in section, ofthe mechanism for independently controlling the cables of thelifting-forks.

The same numerals of reference are used to indicate like andcorresponding parts in each of the several figures of the drawings.

In order that others skilled in the art may understand the applicationof my band-cutting and feed mechanism, I have illustrated by Figs. l and2 of the drawings a part of the th reshing-machine; but it is to beunderstood that the invention is not restricted to the use of theband-cutting and feeding mechanism in connection with any particulartype of threshing-machine or grain-separator. For

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convenience in illustration I have illustrated a part of thethreshing-machine of that type disclosed in my application of which thepresent application is a division, and the numerals of reference whichare used in said original application are also employed in the presentapplication to indicate the corresponding parts.

The casing or frame of the threshing-machine is indicated by the numeral15, and this threshing-machine, like others of its class, is equippedwith a cylinder-concave 17 and a revoluble cylinder 18, which has itsshaft 19 journaled in proper bearings on the machine-frame. The ends ofthe cylindershaft are extended for the reception Vof the driving-pulleys20, and around these pulleys pass the driving-belts 24, which serve torotate the threshing-cylinder and also to propel the shaft whichoperates the forli-cables, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

The feeder of my invention is constructed with a frame 95, which forms apart of the derrick or truck of the feeder, and said frame is supportedby wheeled axles 96, which are suitably connected to the frame toprovide for its convenient transportation. The derrick or truck of thefeeder-frame is provided with a wide bearing rail or bottom 97, (sceFigs. 2, 3, and 4,) and said derrick or truck 95 furthermore carries anoverhead elevated frame 98, which supports the sheaves 99, that areadapted to direct the fork-cables 100 101. Each fork-cable is attachedat one end to a grain-fork 102 of any suitable construction, and, aswill hereinafter appear, the cables 100 101 are associated withindependent spools, by which the cables may be controlled separately, sothat one cable may be lowered for its fork to be loaded with grain,while the other cable is drawn in by its spool for the purpose ofelevating the fork and suspending the latter, with its load, over thederrick or truck 95.

On the casing 15 of the threshing-machine, near the front end thereof,is erected a frame 103, and on this frame is hung or fulcrumed a pair oflevers 104. These levers are provided with journal-bearings, as shown byFigs. 2 and 5, for the reception of a shaft 104D, that serves to supportand operate the Aspools by which the fork-cables are manipulated. Thedriving-shaft 104.-a of the 'fork mechanism is thus supported directlyon the levers, so as to be adjustable therewith, and the free ends ofsaid levers are adapted to engage with segments 105, which are fastened'on uprights 106 of the casing 15. The levers 104 maybe engaged with thesegments 105 to raise the driving-shaft 101 to an elevated position,where its driving-wheels 107 will be free from engagement with the belts21, that propel the threshing-cylinder, thereby throwing the shaft ofthe fork mechanism out of gear with the driving-belts. Said wheels 107Vare secured firmly to the ends of the forkdriving shaft 104, and thesewheels are of large diameter, so that they maybe engaged frictionallywith the cylinder-driving belts 24. It will be understood that thelevers 101 may be depressed to lower the shaft 104;qd for the wheels 107to engage frictionally with the belts 24, and thereby drive thefork-controlling shaft, and when these levers are thus lowered they maybe engaged with segments 105, in order to maintain the several parts inposition to be driven by the wheels 107. These driving-wheels serve atwofold purpose-that is to say, they engage with the driving-belts 2-1at a point adjacent to the pulleys on the cylinder-shaft, so that thedriving-belts will be maintained in a taut condition in order to securemaximum efliciency, and at the same time the wheels 107 are rotated byfrictional contact with the belts for the purpose of propelling theshaft 101% This shaft carries two spools, (indicated at 108 109 in Fig.5 of the drawings,) each spool being mounted loosely on the shaft torotate freely thereon when its clutch is adjusted to uncouple said spoolfrom the shaft. Each spool is constructed at one end for engagement'by`a friction-clutch 110, which is controlled by a lever 111, mounted orfulcrumed on the frame or uprights 103, and the levers of the twoclutches 110 are adapted to be operated separately, in order that oneclutch may make its spool fast with the shaft 10aa when the other clutchis adjusted to release its spool from engagement with said shaft.Eachspool is therefore provided with a brake-disk 112, which is engagedby a band or shoe 113, controlled by a foottreadle 113. It will beunderstood. that each spool is equipped with a brake mechanism which isindependent of like mechanism for.

the other spool, and in the practical construction of my invention thelevers 111 for the two clutches of the spools and the treadles 113a forthe brakes of the two spools will be arranged on the casing 15,substantially as indicated by Fig. 2, in order that a single operator,whov may be seated on the machine, may control the levers 1011, thelevers 111, and the treadles 113, all these parts being within easyaccess of the attendant. In connection with the threshing-machine apneumatic stacker of the well-known type and which is not here shown isused. The means for controlling the pneumatic stacker are in thepractical operation of the threshing-machine in connection with myimproved feeder mechanism disposed within easy reach of the attendant,so that he may also conveniently control the stacker mechanism.

I would have it understood that I do not confine myself to the use ofany particular type of clutch or of brake for controlling each spoolthat operates one of the fork-cables, because I am aware that theseelements may be modilied within wide limits by a skilled constructor.

From the foregoing description it will be understood that each spool forthe fork-cable IIO may be clutched fast with the shaft 104.n andunclutched therefrom independently of the other spool and that eachspool when released from the shaft may be controlled by its brake. rlhisis an important feature of the fork mechanism, because it enables eachspool to be clutched to the shaft 101i. to rotate therewith and coil thefork-cable on said spool in order to raise the fork with the load ofgrain in a suspended position over the derrick of the feeder. Vhen thefork, with its load, arrives at a proper position over thefeeder-conveyer, the operator should manipulate the clutch to releasethe spool from the shaft, and the brake-shoe may then be manipulated, inorder to arrest the rotation of the spool and prevent the uncoiling ot'the fork-cable until the fork assumes a position where it will properlydeposit the load of grain upon the feeder-conveyer, after which thetension of the brake on the spool may be eased in order to allow thespool to rotate idly on the shaft and permit the fork-cable to uncoilfrom the spool, so that the fork, with its load, may descend by gravityto a position adjacent to the feeder-conveyer, thus enabling the fork tobe controlled to deposit its load with precision and accuracy on thefeeder-conveyer.

The endless feeder-conveyer 114 is shown by Figs. 3 and Il in the formof an apron provided with a series of slats, and this conveyer issupported by a wheeled frame 115, which is mounted within the dei-rickor truck frame 95, so as to be adjustable in any direction therein. Thefeeder-frame 115'is provided at its opposite ends with caster-wheels or,as they maybe termed, pivot-wheels 116, and said wheels are properlyconnected to the feeder-frame, so as to turn in horizontal planes forthe purpose ofsecuring an adjustinent of the feeder-frame longitudinallyand transversely of the derrick or truck frame. The adjustable wheeledframe 115, which carries the traveling endless conveyor, is provided atthe end contiguous to the threshingmachine with an inclined adjustablesection 117, which is pivotallyeonnected to the horizontal length of thewheeled frame 115 at the point where an idler-roller 118 is journaled inthe horizontal length of said frame 115, said idler-roller 118 beingarranged between the upper and lower lengths of the endless slattedconveyer 11i in order to act against said lower length of the conveyerto hold the same in its proper relation to the horizontal and inclinedmembers 115 117 of the wheeled feeder-frame- This inclined length of thefeeder-frame may be adjusted in a vertical direction by means of a lever119, which is fulcrurned at 120 on a part of the adjustable frame 115,and one end of this lever is suitably connected to the adjustableinclined length 117 of said frame, while its other end is adapted toengage with a rack or segment 121, attached to the end of the frame 115,adjacent to one of the pivot or caster wheels, all

as clearly shown by Fig. 4. of the drawings. The wheeled frame whichcarries the endless conveyer also sustains all of the operative elementswhich are associated with the endless feeder-eonveyer, and one of theseelements is a tightener-wheel 122, which is adjustably supported injournalbearings on uprights which are attached to the frame 115. (SeeFigs. 1 and 2.) The tightener-Wheel is adapted to ride against theendless traveling feeder-conveyer at a point substantially over theidler-roller 11S, and said tightener-roller engages with the upperlength of the endless conveyer in order to maintain the latter in itsproper relation to the horizontal and inclined members of the wheeledconveyerframe. I employa pair of levers 123 to support a band-cutter andspreader cylinder in active relation to the inclined length of theendless feeder-eonveyer. These levers 123 are hung loosely on a shaft124C, which is supported in a pair of posts 125, that are attached tothe Wheeled conveyer-frame 115, and said levers 123 are provided withjournal-bearings to receive the shaft of the spreader-cylinder 126. Thefree ends of the levers 123 are adapted to engage with segments 126,which are fastened to the posts 115, which suspend the shaft of thetightener-wheel 122, said posts 115 being alsofastened to the horizontallength of the adjustable feeder-frame 115.

The endless feeder-conveyer 11-1 passes continuously along thehorizontal frame 115 and the inclined section 117, and at one end thisendless feeder-conveyer passes around an idler-roller 129, which isjournaled in the sides of the frame 115. (See Figs. 1 and 3.) The otherend of the endless feeder-conveyer, which passes along the inclinedlength 117 of the adjustable frame, is arranged around the drivingroller130, which is journaled in suitable bearings at the upper end of theinclined length 117 of the frame, and on the ends of the shaft of thisdriving-roller 130 are secured gears 131, which are adapted to meshdirectly with gear-pinions 132 on the shaft of the threshing-cylinder,whereby the roller 130 for the endless feeder-conveyeris geared directlyto the threshing-cylinder in order that said cylinder may propel thefeeder-conveyer.

Vithin the cap or housing of the threshingmachine, at the front or mouthend thereof and above the horizontal plane of the threshing-cylinder, isarranged a cylinder 132, the shaft of which is journaled in suitablebearings provided on the casing 15 of the threshing-machine. The ends ofthe shaft for the cylinder are extended beyond the casing 15 to receivethe gears 133, which are arranged to mesh directly with the gears 131 onthe shaft of the driving-roller 130, and it will therefore be seen thatthe threshing-cylinder shaft is adapted to rotate the driving-roller 130and the cylinder 132L through the described train of gearing. The shaft124, which serves as the fulcruin for the levers 123, is provided withgears 13a, which are ar- IOO TIO

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ranged to mesh with the gears 131 on the driving-roller of thefeeder-conveyer, and these gears 134 intermesh with gears 135 on theshaft of the spreadercylinder 126, so that the driving-roller 130operates through the gears 134 and 135 to rotate the spreadercylinder.It will be understood that the bandcutter and spreader cylinder 126 isprovided with teeth arranged to engage with the straw as it is carriedin an upward direction by the inclined section of the endlessfeeder-con- Veyer, and said cylinder thus serves to cut the bands and toloosen the straw beforeitis delivered by the feeder-conveyer to thethreshing-cylinder. The cylinder 132@ is also provided with teeth orknives, which are adapted to sever any bands on the sheaves or shocks ofwheat or other grain which may remain uncut after the grain passes thecylinder 126, which grain is to be fed to the threshing-cylinder,andthis cylinder 132a also serves to compact or compress the grain as it isdelivered over the end of the feeder-conveyer to the threshing-cylinder.Said cylinder also prevents the grain from passing in an upwarddirection between itself and the cap or housing of thethreshing-machine, and thev grain is thus properly fed to thethreshingmachine.

It will be understood that the truck or derrick which carries the feederis a separate structure from the threshing-machine, and in Sii lowered.

, machine, and to overcome these difficulties I have constructed thefeeder so that the wheeled frame for the endless feeder-conveyer may beadjusted transversely across the line of the threshing-machine, or itmay be moved lengthwise of the threshing-machine, or the inclinedsection of the adjustable frame and the endless feeder-conveyer'may beraised or It will therefore be understood that if the feeder-conveyerand its frame do not properly aline with the threshing-machine theentire feeder-conveyer maybe moved laterally or transversely withrespect to the threshing machine in order to bring the feeder-conveyerin proper alinement therewith. At the same time the feeder-conveyerapparatus may, be moved lengthwise within its derrick table or truck andthe eri/'5,515 ,I

gears 131 on said shaft will properly niesh with the gears 132 on thethreshing-cylinder shaft, said gears 131 also meshing with the gears onthe shaft of the band-cutter cylinder and with the gears on the shaft124, that propels the spreader-cylinder 126. The operator, seated on thedeck of the threshingmachine, is able to control the shaft 104a by meansof the levers, so that the drivingwheels on said shaft 104iL may berotated. In loading the grain on the feeder apparatus the forks areallowed to descend in order to lolotain the load of grain, and theoperator then manipulates one of the clutches 110 to make the spool fastwith the shaft 104, thereby elevating one fork and its load. The clutchis now operated to release the spool'from the shaft 1042, and the brakeis applied to control the spool in order to deposit the load of grainfrom the suspended fork upon the feeder-conveyer. The other fork may beoperated and controlled in like manner, and the two forks may thus beused alternately or simultaneously in order to expeditiously load thefeeder-conveyer with large .quantities of grain. The feeder-conveyercarries the grain from the derrick or truck table to thethreshing-cylinder, the grain being subjected to the action of thespreader and band-cutter before it is deposited in thethreshing-machine.

In my feeder mechanism for delivery of grain to the threshing-cylinderthe derrick table or truck lies in a horizontal position and is open onits upper side throughout the entire length. The feederconveyer extendslengthwise of the open part of the derricktable and occupies a positiontherein which adapts said conveyer to receive grain at any point in thelength of the derrick-table. This enables the grain to be suppliedrapidly and conveniently on the feeder-conveyer and to the cylinder anddispenses with the services of a number of men to load the grain on thefeeder.

Changes in the form, proportion, size, and the minor details ofconstruction within the scope of the appended claims may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantagesof thisinvention.

The frame 115 has a table 115, which covers the endlessfeed-conveyer 114and is provided with a longitudinal opening 1151, through which thegrain falls onto the feed-oonveyer. Slides 115, disposed under the saidtable and supported in suitable guides, are adapted to be adjusted tovary the width of the said opening and limit the quantity of grain onthe feedconveyer to the capacity of the machine and prevent choking.rIhe said slides may be adjusted by any suitable means. In theembodiment of my invention here shown I provide levers 115d to adjustthe said slides. I also provide a lever 115e, which is connected to theframe 115, as at 115f, to move said frame longitudinally, so as toengage or disengage the gear 131 with and from the gears 132 133.

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Having thus described the invention, what I claim is 1. In combinationWith a feeder having a derrick, a threshing-machine having avertically-movable shaft provided with driving- Wheels adapted to slideupon and to be rotated by the cylindendriving belts, a hoisting-spoolloose on said shaft, means to lock said spool to said shaft, and a brakefor said spool, for the purpose set forth, substantially as described.

2. In a band-cutter and feeder, the combination with a driving-belt forpropelling a threshing-cylinder, of a fork-driving shaft equipped withpropelling-Wheels arranged to ride upon said cylinder-driving belt,means for adjusting said shaft relatively to saidbelt, a fork-carryingcable, a spool actuated by said sha ft and having said cable coiledthereon, and means for controlling said spool, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a band-cutter and feeder, the combination with athreshing-cylinder and driving belts for propelling the same, of afork-driving shaft mounted on the deck of the threshing-machine inmovable relation to the cylinder thereof and provided with frictionaldriving-Wheels arranged to ride upon the cylinder-driving belts to keepthe latter in a taut condition, means for adjusting said forkdrivingshaft relatively to the cylinder-shaft, and a fork mechanism operablebysaid forkdriving shaft, substantially as described.

et. In a band-cutter and feeder, the combination with driving-belts foroperating the cylinder of a threshing-machine, of a forkdriving shaftmounted for movement relative to said driving-belts and provided withfrictional driving-pulleys adapted to ride upon said belts, means foradjusting said shaft With relation to the cylinder-shaft, independentspools mounted idly on said fork-driving shaft, a fork-cable coiled oneach spool for operation individually thereby, a clutch mechanismcontrolled by a lever and disposed in operative relation to the spooland shaft, and independent brake devices in operative relation to saidspools and separately controlled by suitable levers, the means foradjusting the fork-driving shaft, the clutches and the brakes being alldisposed above the deck of the threshing-machine for conven ient access,substantially as described.

5. In a band-cutter and feeder, the combination with a cylinder-shaft,of a derricl or truck contiguous to the threshing-cylinder, a wheeledcon veyer-f rame mounted on said derrick or truck for movement freely ina horizontal plane thereon and carrying an inclined length or section,an endless feeder-conveyer supported Wholly by said Wheeled frame andits inclined length, a cutter and feeder mechanism supported by saidWheeled conveyerframe, and gearing between the cutter and feedermechanism and the cylinder -shaft, substantially as described.

G. In a band-cutter and feeder, the combination With athreshing-cylinder and afeedercylinder mounted in the horizontal planeabove said threshing-cylinder, of a derrick or truck contiguous to saidthreshing-cylinder, a wheeled conveyer-frame having an inclinedadjustable length or section and said frame mounted on the derrick formovement freely in a horizontal plane thereon, a band-cuts ter cylindercarried by said Wheeled frame, gearing between the threshing-cylinder,the feeder-cylinder and the band-cutter cylinder, and an endlessfeeder-conveyer supported Wholly by the Wheeled truck and its inclinedsection and disposed below the band-cutter cylinder and thefeeder-cylinder, the delivery end of the feeder-'conve yer beingdisposed contiguous to the threshing-cylinder, substantially asdescribed.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES ALBERT LONG.

Witnesses:

I. C. SANFORD, J. M. ROBINSON.

